The Cincinnati Reds bullpen suffered a significant blow this week as the team officially placed closer Emilio Pagan on the 15-day injured list. The move comes after a frightening scene at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, where Pagan was carted off the field after throwing just a single pitch in the ninth inning. As the Reds look to stabilize a relief corps that has struggled during a recent five-game skid, they have turned to a familiar face, recalling right-hander Tejay Antone from Triple-A Louisville.
The Severity of the Emilio Pagan Injury
Diagnosis confirmed the worst fears for the Reds' coaching staff on Wednesday. Pagan has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, an injury that carries an expected recovery timetable of four to eight weeks. The veteran right-hander, who has served as the primary closer for the Cincinnati Reds bullpen this season, had been dealing with hamstring discomfort for nearly a month before the muscle gave out entirely during Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Before the injury, Pagan had endured a rocky start to the 2026 campaign. In 14 innings of work, he posted a 6.43 ERA and was charged with three blown saves. Despite these struggles, manager Terry Francona emphasized Pagan's importance to the team's late-inning strategy, noting that the veteran had been "pitching hurt" to help the team through a difficult stretch in the schedule.
Tejay Antone’s Long Road Back to Cincinnati
To fill the void in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen, the team promoted Tejay Antone. Antone’s return is a testament to his resilience, as the 32-year-old has spent the last several seasons battling back from three separate ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgeries. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Antone, the Reds transferred left-hander Brandon Williamson to the 60-day injured list.
Antone has looked sharp during his stint with the Triple-A Louisville Bats this season. In 12.0 innings of work, he maintained a 2.25 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, striking out 12 batters. His repertoire, headlined by a high-spin slider and a mid-90s sinker, provides the Reds with a high-leverage option that they desperately need while Pagan sidelined. While it remains to be seen if Antone will immediately step into a closing role, his track record of success when healthy makes him a vital addition to the roster.
Shuffling the Closer Role
With Pagan out for at least a month, the Cincinnati Reds bullpen must identify a new ninth-inning stopper. Manager Terry Francona has several options to consider as the team attempts to climb back up the NL Central standings:
- Tony Santillan: The most likely candidate to see immediate save opportunities. Santillan has 12 career saves and has posted a 2.87 ERA so far in 2026, though his velocity has fluctuated recently.
- Graham Ashcraft: A former starter who has successfully transitioned to a high-leverage relief role. Ashcraft has been the team's most consistent arm lately, boasting a 1.02 ERA through 17.2 innings.
- Pierce Johnson: Recently returning from the bereavement list, Johnson brings veteran experience and a steady hand to the back end of the game.
Impact on the NL Central Race
The timing of these roster moves is critical for Cincinnati. After a hot start to the season that saw them leading the division on May 1, the Reds have dropped five consecutive games and currently sit in third place in the NL Central. The stability of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen will be the deciding factor in whether the team can weather this injury crisis or if they will continue to slide behind the Cubs and Brewers in the divisional race.
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